The production is designed by Bob Crowley, with lighting by Mark Henderson, music by Matthew Scott and sound by Paul Groothuis.

Desmond Barrit (WH Auden) played Hector in the 2004 production of Alan Bennett’s The History Boys, which accumulated a number of awards including the Laurence Olivier, Tony and Critics Circle Awards for Best Play, and the South Bank Show Award for Theatre.

He has worked extensively for London’s National Theatre, and his credits include Stuff Happens, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum and Alan Bennett’s version of The Wind in the Willows; other stage credits include Wicked (West End) and many leading roles for the RSC, including Falstaff in both The Merry Wives of Windsor and Henry IV, Bottom and Malvolio.

Selina Cadell (Kay, the stage manager) appeared in Alan Bennett’s The Madness of George III at the National and on screen; she recently appeared in The Cherry Orchard with The Bridge Project in New York and at the Old Vic. Her many TV roles include Mrs Tishell in Doc Martin, the college dean in Lab Rats and Dorothy Crowther in The Amazing Mrs Pritchard, as well as appearances in Spooks, Midsomer Murders, Lewis, New Tricks and The Catherine Tate Show.

Malcolm Sinclair (Benjamin Britten) recently appeared in David Hare’s The Power of Yes at the National; his recent stage work includes the headmaster in The History Boys on Broadway and international tour, and Ivanov (Donmar in the West End).

His extensive work on television and film includes Midsomer Murders, Hustle, Judge John Deed, Pie in the Sky, The Young Victoria and Casino Royale.

Since he became Director of the National Theatre in April 2003, Nicholas Hytner has directed Henry V, His Dark Materials, The History Boys, Stuff Happens, Henry IV, Southwark Fair, The Alchemist, The Man of Mode, The Rose Tattoo (with Stephen Pimlott), Rafta, Rafta… , Much Ado About Nothing, Major Barbara, England People Very Nice, Phèdre and London Assurance.